Woody Allen Taps Joaquin Phoenix To Star In His Next Picture

Controversy or no, Woody Allen is going to keep on making films. Not far off Cate Blanchett’s Best Actress Oscar win for her work in Allen’s Blue Jasmine, Allen has already signed up the star of his next as-of-yet untitled movie. Joaquin Phoenix will be the next A-lister to help Allen tell his next tale, according to The Wrap.

As has been reported here previously, Allen has been the subject of a controversy concerning the alleged sexual abuse of his daughter. Allen has consistently denied the allegations. And the controversy has clearly not stopped him from recruiting top talent.

Phoenix is coming off his critically-acclaimed turn in Spike Jonze’s Her, about a guy who falls in love with his intelligent computer operating system voiced by Scarlet Johansson. Not an easy feat. One could argue that if Phoenix can pull that off, Allen shouldn’t have anything to worry about. Phoenix himself has given brilliant performances as often morally compromised and/or deeply troubled characters. But you never know what Allen has up his sleeve. So far, there’s no other information about this new film. An Allen-Phoenix film collaboration is certainly enough to pique our interest. We’ll look forward to new information as this story develops.

Phoenix’s next appearance will be in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Inherent Vice, which releasesthis December. Anderson and Phoenix most recently worked together on The Master for which Phoenix earned his second Oscar nomination in the Best Actor category and his third nomination overall.

Allen’s next film, Magic In The Moonlight, will release this Summer and stars Emma Stone, Colin Firth and Marcia Gay Harden.